rebecca

It would hardly be January without the requisite “best” lists of the previous year. As a list-lover, I always enjoy seeing the last 12 months summarized, synthesized and categorized so nicely. I also enjoy making lists, but often struggle to remember the details of the books I’ve read. I can quickly identify the books that have had a profound impact on me, but when I try to describe the actions and events or recall characters’ names my mind is blank. What I typically recall are the feelings that remain afterwards.

Memoirs are tricky business. There’s something both astoundingly brave and utterly foolish about inviting others into the deepest crevices of one’s life. Memoir may be second only to poetry as the genre that is most likely to create overly sensational or sentimental writing. But, like poetry, when memoir is done well, it is like chocolate cake—perfect in its simplicity. I enjoy reading memoirs, not because of any need I have to compare my personal history with those of their authors. In many cases, there is no comparison.

Coming of age novels are often relegated to the tween/teen set, and many are classified as young adult fiction. Still, many of my favorite novels are coming of age novels. Maybe it’s because of the extended young adulthood of my generation or perhaps it’s the realization that coming of age isn’t typically a one-time occurrence. Revelation and recognition occur throughout our lifetimes at the most unexpected and, sometimes, inopportune moments. I’m drawn to young adult fiction for this reason, but many adult novels deal with these universal themes, too.

These days I’m suffering from a serious condition known as lackolibraphobia. Yes, it is a word. Okay, it is a made up word. Nancy Pearl announced this official term for “the fear of having nothing good to read” at the Public Library Association Conference this past March. This is a very real condition which may lead to fidgeting, sweating, irritability, a sense of hopelessness, and increased consumption of reality television. Fortunately, there are treatments.